Sapporo Ice Festival Vs. Otaru Snow Festival Guide, Hokkaido
Ahoy pirates! 🤙
This Guide provides a comparison of two of Hokkaido's most iconic winter festivals: the Otaru Snow Festival and the Sapporo Ice Festival. With two winter seasons of exploring the snowy wonders of Hokkaido, I'm here to guide you through these breathtaking winter spectacles and provide tips along with a list of free things to do.
Otaru Snow Festival
Otaru, with its charming canals and historic streets, transforms into a winter wonderland during its Snow Festival in mid-February. Picture this: beautifully carved snow sculptures lining the serene canals, creating a dreamy, magical atmosphere. It almost reminded me of my old home, Amsterdam, just with tons of snow and no bicycles. Haha! And look at these monstrous icicles hanging down from the roof.The festival's emphasis on delicate snow art gives it a unique, artistic vibe. As you wander through the snow-lit streets, you're immersed in a magical blend of lights, tradition, and artistic expression.The best way to get there is a beautiful train ride directly along the oceanfront from Sapporo station or a more affordable heated public bus ride from Maruyama Koen. A tip here is to sit on the right side to enjoy the ocean scenery on the way. Find a video for another free bus ride in Hokkaido in the youtube video. Be aware that when the Snow Festival is held, it can get freezing cold, and I highly recommend either stopping by cafes and stores to heat up or wearing proper winter gear. Find the video for winter gear in the youtube video. The coffee shops, snack shops, and yes, ice cream shops are perfect for warming up, but I love sitting next to a heater and enjoying Otaru-brewed beer in a small local izakaya.
My highlight was experiencing the world of Spirited Away in smaller alleys. I even met Totoro. By the way, on the way, you will find several party locations with fun music, kind of like Japanese après-ski bars with street food. Hahaha!
Otaru is known for its high-quality seafood, so a stop at the local fish market is a must-do for lunch. By the way, there is an expensive tourist fish market at the train station and a local cheaper one as well.
I enjoyed walking around with my Japanese friends who showed me all the secret corners, played music on the way, and pointed out a super cool gay bar.
A day trip is enough to enjoy Otaru, but keep the last train times in mind, or you can have an overnight stay at one of the hotels with a hot onsen.
Sapporo Ice Festival
Cafe`s in Sapporo
Secret Pre-Ice Festival sight Sapporo (from January)
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Otaru Snow Festival and the Sapporo Ice Festival offer unique winter experiences that showcase the beauty of Hokkaido. Whether you're drawn to the artistic and anime inspired snow sculptures in Otaru or the ice masterpieces in Sapporo, a winter trip to Hokkaido promises a magical adventure.
YouTube videos:
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